Site Code
Country: United Kingdom
Central coordinates: 50.41356207o [50o 24' 48" North], -4.60983326o [4o 36' 35" West]
Administrative region: South West (East Cornwall)
Area: 87 ha
Altitude: 42 - 91
Site Description
The sites selected have been chosen for the large number of old forest lichen species listed on the New Index of Ecological Continuity (NIEC) 54/70 and the East Scotland Index of Ecological Continuity (ESIEC), and represent the geographical differences between the more oceanic types from Cornwall, Devon, Wales and Scotland and the more lowland types from Dorset eastwards.
Botanical Significance
Noted for lichen interest.
Rare and threatened species present within the sites selected include: Anaptychia ciliaris (VU), Bacidia incompta (VU), Enterographa sorediata (E, VU, IR), Lecanographa amylacea (VU, IR), L. lyncea (IR), Lobaria amplissima (IR), Opegrapha prosodea (NT, IR) and Wadeana dendrographa (NT, IR). The enclosed parkland and woodland at Boconnoc is of international importance for its particularly rich and diverse lichen flora. Some 188 species of epiphytic lichens have been recorded here; the largest recorded number for any site of comparable size in Western Europe. Boconnoc Park and Woods are especially rich is Lobaria- and Usnea-type lichens. The lichen flora includes 52 old forest species. While 21 of the 188 recorded lichen species are national rarities, Boconnoc is the only known British site for Porina hibernica. In addition Arthonia leucopellaea, Pannaria mediterranea and Lecanactis corticola have only been recorded from a few other British sites. Other nationally rare lichen species include Lithographa dendrographa, Parmelia borreri, Lecanora jamesii, Arthonia stellaris, Biatorella ochrophora, and Ochrolechia inversa. A further 31 species are ancient woodland indicators and are locally rare. Several of these rare lichen species have been recorded from single trees within Boconnoc Park, which benefits from the high rainfall, humidity and light intensity which occurs within the parkland and woodland glades.
The Estate has a long tradition of deer park managament, some of the trees in the park being over 300 years old thereby promoting the continued growth of the rare lichen species.
The Deer Park is dominated by Beech Fagus sylvatica, with abundant Oak Quercus sp and a sparse understorey. The groundcover is dominated by Bracken. Ash Fraxinus excelsior is more abundant on the fringes of the wet tributary valley, on the north side of the Deer Park where tussock Sedge Carex pendiculata occurs. These Ash trees and the dense Willow Salix sp carr around the Lake are of particular importance for some of the rare lichens, as are the isolated clumps of Oak, Ash and Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus to the west of south of Boconnoc House.
The mixed broadleaved ancient woodland of Colliershill Wood to the north of the site supports an abundance of mature Beech which is locally dominant in places, particularly to the north. Ash, Sessile Oak Quercus petraea, and the invasive species Sycamore are also frequent, together with Pedunculate Oak Quercus robur, and Sweet Chestnut Castanea sativa. The understorey supports species such as Holly Ilex aquifolium, Hazel Corylus avellana, Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, Elder Sambucus nigra, and Rhododendron Rhododendron ponticum. Bramble Rubus fruticosus dominates much of the ground flora although one of the more interesting herb species is the uncommon woodland grass Wood Millett Milium effusum.
Management guidance notes
Noted for lichen interest
Notes
None